About the Group
The International Group (IG) is responsible for promoting and protecting the UK’s economic and fiscal interests overseas. We support the Chancellor and senior officials in building relations with key international partners and represent the UK in the EU, G7, G20, IMF (International Monetary Fund), Paris Club, FATF (Financial Action Taskforce), EIB (European Investment Bank), AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) and EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). We also analyse macroeconomic developments at a country, regional and global level; take forward the Treasury’s interests in specific issues from counter illicit finance and asset freezing to climate change, energy; and ensure value for money from the EU budget. IG is also responsible for continuing European business, for example participation in European meetings and strategic work contributing to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
International Group recognises the value a diverse workforce brings to our work and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Although an important part of some roles, not all roles in IG require international travel. We actively encourage flexible working practices, including part time working and job-sharing so please feel free to discuss different working patterns with the recruiting line manager or relevant deputy director.
About the Team
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) within HM Treasury has been operational since March 2016 and in its first six years quickly established itself as a world-leader in financial sanctions, a key area of financial, foreign and national security policy. It remains front and centre of an unprecedented financial sanctions response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
HM Treasury implements financial sanctions in the UK, and OFSI fulfils this role on its behalf. It leads on the implementation of UN and UK financial sanctions and domestic terrorist asset freezing, providing a high-quality service to the private and charitable sectors, and guidance to help them follow the law. It works closely with law enforcement, intelligence agencies and
policy colleagues across Whitehall and beyond to help ensure that financial sanctions are accurately understood, implemented and enforced. OFSI has important partner relationships in the regulated financial services sector, the primary implementers of financial sanctions, and is an integral part of the sanctions community worldwide.
Robust enforcement of financial sanctions helps to maintain the integrity of and confidence in the UK financial sector, a priority for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. OFSI has strong powers, including to impose civil monetary penalties, and is in the front line in the fight against this serious crime.
There are currently 34 financial sanctions regimes, including sanctions relating to Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria and Libya. Approximately 3,800 individuals and entities are targets of sanctions. OFSI also implements domestic terrorist-asset freezes under counter-terror legislation.
OFSI is a diverse and dynamic team of 100 people, from a variety of backgrounds and professions. We offer an outstanding environment to broaden your experience and develop new skills, whilst working on some of the highest profile international issues the UK faces. We strongly support a good work-life balance and flexible working is actively encouraged.
You can read more about OFSI on our gov.uk page here:
https://www.gov.uk/ofsi
You can read our most recent annual review, published in November 2022, here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1116689/OFSI_Annual_Review_2021-22_10.11.22.pdf
Key Accountabilities
We are recruiting for a Sanctions Adviser role based in our Operational Policy and Priority Projects branch, within the Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation. This is an exciting opportunity to join a branch whose focus is on leading operational policy development and implementation, and taking forward strategic, high-priority projects. The role will be multifaceted and over the course of the time in post, the postholder is likely to gain experience across a range of fields including project delivery, strategic policy development, and operational policy delivery and implementation.
Previous experience of financial sanctions policy is not essential, although candidates will need to demonstrate an ability to quickly develop an understanding of the complexities and sensitivities of this area as well as ability to build relationships with key partners, whilst working on key projects and workstreams.
Key responsibilities include:
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Assisting in advancing strategic projects to ambitious timescales, such as working on new legislation, and recording operational policy decisions;
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Carrying out operational policy analysis on a wide variety of sanctions issues;
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Identifying trends and solutions in respect to operational policy matters, including in relation to technical sanctions issues and OFSI capabilities;
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Providing concise, accurate and timely advice to support Ministers and senior officials in making decisions, including by assessing legal, political and operational risk;
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Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with counterparts, in particular with FCDO and HM Treasury sanctions officials;
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Working flexibly across the branch, supporting a diverse range of strategic projects and operational policy work, adapting as priorities change.
If you have any questions about this role you are encouraged to speak to the recruiting manager, Belle Dolan-Miller, belle.dolanmiller@hmtreasury.gov.uk
The successful candidates will be required to undergo Security Check (SC) clearance before starting in the post and may be required subsequently to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) clearance when in post.